List of castles in East Ayrshire Facts for Kids

East Ayrshire is a place in Scotland that has many old and interesting castles. These castles tell us stories about the past, from powerful families to important historical events. Some are still standing tall, while others are just ruins, but they all have a unique history.

Castles of East Ayrshire

East Ayrshire is home to many different types of castles. Some are tower houses, which are tall, strong buildings where families lived and defended themselves. Others are courtyard castles with walls around a central open space. Let's explore some of these amazing old buildings.

Aiket Castle

A view of Aiket Castle in 2006.

Aiket Castle is a tower house built in the late 1400s. It has been restored and is now a private home. You can find it near the town of Dunlop.

Auchencloigh Castle

Auchencloigh Castle ruins.

Auchencloigh Castle was also a tower house from the 1400s. Today, only a few parts of it remain near Sinclairston.

Barr Castle

Barr Castle in 1900.

Barr Castle is a tower house built in the 1400s. It is located in Galston and is now used by a Masonic Lodge and has a museum. It is also known as Lockhart Tower.

Borland Castle

Borland Castle was a tower castle from the 1400s near Cumnock. Sadly, there are no remains of this castle left today.

Busbie Castle

Busbie Castle in 1912.

Busbie Castle was a tower house built in the 1300s near Knockentiber. Most of it was taken down in the 1950s, and only a few parts remain in a garden.

Caprington Castle

Caprington Castle is a tower house from the 1400s. It is still used as a private home near Kilmarnock. It was made bigger in the 1830s to become a large baronial house.

Carnell Castle

Carnell Castle is another tower house from the 1400s. It is still used as a home and a hotel. It was also made larger in 1843.

Cessnock Castle

Cessnock Castle is a tower house that dates back to the 1200s. It has been restored and is now a private home in Galston.

Corsehill Castle

Corsehill Castle.

Corsehill Castle is a ruined tower house located in Stewarton.

Craufurdland Castle

Craufurdland Castle is a tower house from the 1300s. It is still used as a private home near Kilmarnock. It was expanded in the 1800s to look like a gothic house.

Dallars Castle

Dallars Castle was a tower house from the 1400s near Hurlford. A large mansion house was built in its place. It was sometimes called Auchenskeith.

Dean Castle

Dean Castle.

Dean Castle is a courtyard castle from the 1300s in Kilmarnock. It was restored between 1935 and 1936 and is now a museum that you can visit. It is owned by East Ayrshire Council.

Dunlop Castle

Dunlop Castle was built in the 1300s near Dunlop. There are no remains of this castle, as Dunlop House was built on its site.

Haining Place

Haining Place.

Haining Place was a tower house from the 1500s or 1600s. Only the vaulted basement remains today near Kilmarnock. It was last used as housing for farm workers.

Kerse Castle

Site of Kerse Castle.

Kerse Castle existed before 1600 near Hollybush. There are no remains of it today.

Kilmaurs Castle

Kilmaurs Castle was built around the 1400s near Kilmaurs. There are no remains of this castle, as it was replaced by a later building called Kilmaurs Place.

Kingencleugh Castle

Kingencleugh Castle in 2012.

Kingencleugh Castle is an L-plan tower house from the 1600s. It is now an ornamental ruin near Mauchline and is part of the Kingencleugh House estate.

Kyle Castle

Kyle Castle in 2012.

Kyle Castle is a tower castle with a barmkin (a protective wall) from the 1400s. Only a few ruins remain near Muirkirk.

Lainshaw Castle

Lainshaw Castle in 1779.

Lainshaw Castle is located in Stewarton. Part of the old castle is now included in Lainshaw House.

Lefnoreis Castle

Lefnoreis Castle was a tower castle from the 1400s in Cumnock. Only the foundations remain. It is sometimes known as Lochnorris.

Loch Doon Castle

Loch Doon Castle was originally built in the late 1200s and rebuilt in the 1930s. It is now a ruin and is managed by Historic Scotland.

Loudoun Castle

Loudoun Castle in the 1890s.

Loudoun Castle was a large courtyard castle near Galston. It was known as the "Windsor of the North." Sadly, it was destroyed by fire in 1941. From 1995 to 2010, its grounds were used as a theme park.

Mauchline Castle

Mauchline Castle 1790.

Mauchline Castle is a tower from the 1400s in Mauchline. It is still standing and is also known as Abbot Hunter's Tower.

Martnaham Castle

Martnaham Castle ruins.

Martnaham Castle was a tower on the south side of Martnaham Loch. Only ruins remain today.

Newmilns Tower

Newmilns Tower.

Newmilns Tower is a keep built in the 1530s in Newmilns. It was restored in 1997 and is now used as a private home. Locals sometimes call it "The Keep."

Polkelly Castle

Polkelly Castle was a tower from the 1300s. It was removed, and its ruins were used to build a road in the 1850s.

Ravenscraig Castle

Corsehill House.

Ravenscraig Castle was a ruin before 1604.

Riccarton Castle

Riccarton Castle existed before 1297. There are no remains of it today, but a plaque marks its location at the fire station.

Robertland Castle

Robertland Castle was a tower from the 1500s near Stewarton. Only the motte (a mound where a castle stood) and a few stones remain. Robertland House was built using stones from the old castle.

Rowallan Castle

Rowallan (Old) Castle.

Rowallan Castle is a castle from the 1500s that is still intact. It is located near Kilmarnock within a golfing development. You can visit it with limited access through Historic Scotland.

Sorn Castle

Sorn Castle from the River Ayr Way.

Sorn Castle is a tower house that dates back to 1409. It was expanded in 1909 and is now used as a hotel.

Templehouse Fortalice

Templehouse Fortalice was located in Stewarton. There are no remains of this fort today.

Terringzean Castle

Terringzean Castle from the west.

Terringzean Castle was built around 1696. Substantial ruins of this castle remain near Auchinleck, on the grounds of Dumfries House.

Trabboch Castle

Trabboch castle ruins from the east.

Trabboch Castle is an L-plan tower house from the 1300s near Stair. It is now a ruin, and much of its stone was used to build a nearby farm.

List of castles in East Ayrshire facts for kids

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